Adidas Athletes Set 2 New Running Records

Adidas runners smashed two world records Sunday.

Agnes Jebet Tirop of Kenya and Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia broke world records in the women’s-only 10K and women’s-only 5K, respectively, at the Adidas Adizero: Road to Records event in Germany.

Tirop finished the women’s-only 10K—an event distinct from the 10,000-meter in track and field—in 30 minutes and 1 second, 28 seconds ahead of Asmae Leghzaoui’s 19-year record. Teferi ran the women’s-only 5K in 14 minutes and 29 seconds, besting the prior record by 15 seconds. The world record marked the first for the latest addition to the Adizero Collection, the Adizero Takumi Sen 8, which is set to debut worldwide Dec. 1.

Adidas’ Road to Records event, held at its World of Sport campus in Herzogenaurach, Germany, hosted a number of other elite athletes. Abel Kipchumba of Kenya won the men’s half marathon with a personal best and world-leading time—a distinction denoting the best time within a given season—of 58 minutes and 48 seconds. World-record holder Rhonex Kipruto of Kenya set a world-leading time in the men’s 10K.

Athletes competing at Sunday’s event wore the latest iterations of Adidas’ Adizero collection: the Adizero Adios Pro 2 and the upcoming Adizero Takumi Sen 8.

The former features two layers of Lightstrike Pro midsole and the company’s carbon-infused Energyrods. An “ultra-lightweight,” partially recycled polyester upper has been optimized for speed, flexibility, breathability and support, Adidas said. Added outsole rubber at the toe tip creates a traction zone for faster acceleration and a new lightweight heel construction keeps the foot locked, while softening the structure for increased comfort.

The Adizero Takumi Sen 8 takes the core components of the Adios Pro 2 and tunes them specifically for 5K and 10K race-day distances, including an updated heel plate to help increase comfort during transition. Glass fiber Energyrods with a re-tuned geometry sit between the layers of Lightstrike Pro midsole, providing a “snappier” transition than the Pro 2, Adidas added.

The record-setting day came just hours before Nike unveiled a sustainable take on the running shoe that Eliud Kipchoge laced up to set a new world marathon record, underscoring the role big events play in helping brands burnish their performance credentials.

A day after its event in Germany, Adidas unveiled new, James Bond-themed colorways of its Ultraboost DNA and Ultraboost 20 running sneakers.

The Adidas x 007 collection will feature four styles inspired by the long-delayed 25th Bond film, “No Time to Die.” The Ultraboost DNA White Tuxedo will debut first via the Adidas app and at select retail stores Sept. 17. The shoe features a white base, with a James Bond motif on the tongue and the iconic 007 insignia finishing off the sleek, minimalist look.

Three other styles will drop Sept. 24. The Adidas Ultraboost 20 Black Tuxedo will sport an all-black design, a 007 insignia on the back heel and a 007 graphic on the sockliner. Another colorway bears a similar all-black design, but with slight red detailing and the inclusion of a “hidden pocket” in the shoe’s lace cage. A final colorway inspired by the new film’s villain, Rami Malek’s Safin, features a grey and white upper, a lace cage mimicking the antagonist’s porcelain mask and a sockliner imprinted with details from his bunker.

Adidas reunites with Marimekko

Also Monday, Marimekko announced it would be reuniting with the footwear giant to release a second collaboration collection just four months after their first.

Set to arrive Sept. 30, the limited-edition Fall/Winter line will feature lifestyle and performance apparel spanning training, tennis and swimwear, as well as footwear and accessories. “Key pieces,” Marimekko said, have been made in part with recycled materials, including Parley Ocean Plastic.

The collection centers around one of Marimekko’s most famous patterns, designer Maiji Isola’s Unikko poppy print from 1964. The Adidas x Marimekko Fall/Winter 2021 line marks its first appearance in a sports apparel collection, according to Marimekko president and CEO Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko.

“The Adidas x Marimekko capsule embraces both brands’ commitment to sustainability, originality and empowerment, and we hope that the functional, yet playful products bring joy to everyday activities of people around the world,” Alahuhta-Kasko said in a statement.

The collection will debut on Adidas’ website and at select Adidas stores and retailers around the world. A select assortment will also appear on Marimekko’s site and at 15 of its Asia-Pacific stores. The exact launch dates of each market and channel will vary.